Happy 4th of July!

I can't believe it!  Half of the year is gone already!  Tomorrow we celebrate the 4th of July 2013!  We wish you, our customers and friends, a happy, fun filled and safe holiday!  And for our servicemen, we pray you will stay safe, and we thank you ever so much for your service!  A salute to our American warriors!  May you all be home with your families soon!

After your day of celebration tomorrow, why not place Analece on your list of places to stop on Friday or Saturday! On Friday we'll have a local Girl Scout Troop serving up lemonade from 11 am - 1 pm.  Come out and support their efforts, and save a little money while shopping our 4th of July week deals!  Hope to see you this weekend!  For our web customers who cannot visit us, shop our website and take advantage of our 4th of July savings on select beads and findings!  USE COUPON CODE JULY4

Becoming a Professional Jewelry Artisan

Owning a jewelery and bead store is sometimes especially enlightening.  I am frequently met with the comment by customers, "Oh, I'm a jeweler myself" or "Aren't you crafty!"  When further discussion ensues, most likely the "jeweler" does some beading or other craft level artistry.  The customer who refers to me as "crafty" doesn't understand the concept of a jewelry designer and artisan. Then I feel compelled to enlighten them a little about what a real jeweler does.

Yes, I agree I am a craftsman (or crafts woman).  And I meet a lot of "jewelers" in my profession.  And, I am sometimes offended by the occasional comment from someone who thinks my work is "crafty" or "cute",  or when they ask me to make something for them, then balking at the price quoted to them,  say, "Oh, I'll just make it myself, it can't be that hard!"   Would you perform your own open heart surgery if you were not a cardiac surgeon? I think not.  All I request is that I am respected for my expertise in jewelry making, and that my customers understand I am a professional, have spent lots of money and time learning my craft, and that I am entitled to compensation for providing them with professional product and service.  This is my profession, my job, the way I feed my family, not a hobby!

Becoming a professional jewelry artisan takes time and patience. It is something that  definitely requires major planning. With money,  plenty of  training,  motivation, knowledge, and business skills, you can become a jeweler and a business owner.

Stringing a few beads on elastic string does not make you a jeweler.  Buying mountings and dropping stones in them does not make you a jeweler.  Getting a thorough education in jewelry making, practice and perseverance,  and an eye for detail along with a creative streak can make you a real jeweler if your work really hard.   

So, if you are thinking about becoming a professional jewelry artisan, ask yourself if you are detail oriented, have the time and money to invest in attending a professional jewelry school, and have the patience to practice, practice, practice to hone your jewelry making skills.  If not, then this profession is not for you.  

On the other hand, if you just want to have some fun, make some simple jewelry for yourself and friends then you should consider taking a basic beading class or other beginner classes offered at  your local bead store, senior center or community college.  That way you can learn to assemble your pieces properly and impress your friends and family with your creative projects.  And you can feel free to refer to yourself as a beader or crafter, but,  I'm sorry,  not a jeweler.

Sorry for the soapbox folks!  Just sharing a little about my life!   And by the way, I love being a jeweler.......I'd like to be your jeweler... Call me or stop in to visit anytime!

Dog Days of Summer are Upon Us!

June 21, 2013, the first official day of summer proved to me a true Summer in the South day!  91+ degrees and humid!  But we love our Southern climes and we can always hit the beach, the river or the pool to cool off OR we can take a class at Analece in the good old air conditioned studio with a great instructor and fun classmates!  Don't forget to include us in your summer "Beat the Heat Plans".  Our next group class on the calendar is the "Sparkly Wrap Bracelet", Saturday July 6 at 10:30 am. Make your bracelet in the morning and still have time for the beach!  A classic take on the Chan Luu style bracelet with a little bit of added glam.  Be sure to sign up soon before the class is full!

Sign up for summer classes!

Private summer classes offer an opportunity to hone your jewelry making skills and get a head start on holiday gift making.  We are offering basic beading, wire techniques, and precious metal clay primer classes by appointment only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays starting at 10:30 am.  You may book a single class or a series of classes beginner to advanced.  Come alone or book with a friend or two.  Taught by Anita Park-Rosenbaum, owner who brings years of jewelry making experience to the table.  You will work with quality materials (included with class fee) and take home a finished piece of jewelry you will be proud to wear.  Anita will also offer some group seed bead weaving classes featuring peyote stitch, ladder and brick stitch, herringbone stitch and various spiral techniques..  Classes will be limited to 6 students and require advance registration. Group classes will be listed on the attached calendar and in our store.  Minimum age requirement for all classes is 12 years old.  Make your summer a fun and creative one!  Stop by the store or call us at 251-929-3620 to schedule your class today.

It's Grad Season! Get Them Something Special!

High School and College Graduations are definitely important milestones calling for special celebration!  We recommend gifts that are timeless and remind the graduate of their special day!
Some ideas for graduation gifts:

For the Women.  How about a beautiful  Birthstone Jewelry set to commemorate their day!  We have a new product line recently designed by Anita Rosenbaum, and we offer the pieces individually or as a kit.  You can buy a beautiful birthstone ring in sterling silver, surrounded by a halo of diamonds with a 6 mm center stone for only $99.95!  We offer this product in a set of ring, necklace and earrings for $250.00 or individually for $99.95!  These pieces are contemporary with a traditional flair and will become a daily accessory for the graduate.  Rings are stocked in size 7, but you can order sizes 5, 6 or 8 for an additional $10 sizing fee.

Also available is a beautiful vintage style set (can be purchase individually) of ring, necklace and earrings.  This set is available set with simulated sapphire, ruby or emerald and melee diamonds in sterling silver. Necklace: http://www.analecedesign.com/Sterling_and_Gemstone_Oval_Filigree_Necklace_p/69715-colon-101-colon-p.htm,
Ring:  http://www.analecedesign.com/Oval_Filigree_Sterling_Gemstone_Ring_p/69718-colon-109-colon-p.htm
Earrings:http://www.analecedesign.com/Filigree_Sterling_Silver_Dangle_Earrings_p/69707-colon-103-colon-p.htm

For the Guys.  How about a money clip with a silver dollar from their birth year or graduation year?  $85.00 (without dollar). Call or stop in to order.

1889 Silver Dollar Money Clip

We also have great leather bracelets for men ranging from $40 to $225. Some are engraveable and are stocked in size 8.  Available in a variety of colors and styles.  Call or stop in to purchase.

Leather Bracelets

Mention you saw this on our blog and receive an additional 10% off your purchase!  You can't beat that!

NEW SPRING AND SUMMER BEADS AND JEWELRY ARE IN THE STORE!

We have finally received our new inventory of beads and findings!  Be the first to come in and shop, spend $25 or more and get 10% off your one time purchase! (Coupon NEWGO99)  Applies to new product only and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or coupons.

Most of our new jewelry items are also on the website, however, since we were in a hurry to get the new beads and findings inventoried and in the store they are not yet available on the website.  If you are interested in these items, but cannot get to our store, please call us and we will be happy to email you a photo of the beads and pricing and you can place your order over the phone.  Just call us at 251-929-3260 CST between 10 am and 5 pm, Monday - Saturday.  Closed Sunday.

Impression Jasper

Agate

Natural Turquoise

 New Items:

Aquamarine

Amazonite

Amethyst

Citrine

Various Agates

Opal

Moonstone

Garnet (Green & Red)

Ammonite

Recycled Glass

Resin

Rhodocrosite

Crystal Quartz

Quartz Points (Drilled)

Smokey Quartz

Rutilated Quartz

Picture Jasper

Bronze, Copper, Sterling, Silver Filled and Pewter Findings

Large Clasps

Artisan Jewelry in Sterling Silver and Vermeil

and many more.....

Don't Delay - New Items Go Fast!  Support your local bead and jewelry store!

Inventory Reduction Sale Extended!

We have extended our storewide inventory reduction sale through March 31!  There are still some great deals to be found so come in and shop before the sale ends!  You may even find a great Easter accessory! 

Beginning April 1, we will be bringing out our new creations for late spring and summer, as well as new beads and findings!  Our new jewelry line will be offered in a variety of metals, including sterling, white and yellow gold, palladium and platinum!  New Diamond Bridal Styles and Artisan Wedding Band Styles will also be available.  Our bridal customers are choosing to express their personalities in all sorts of ways, including with color.  We carry a large virtual inventory of diamonds and colored gemstones for your selection. Our inventory of Red Box Diamonds and Black Box Gemstones by Stuller is constantly changing. You'll always find the center diamonds and gemstones, accents, or melee you need to create the perfect piece of jewelry.
You can choose, change and create though our newest design system, Analece Countersketch, which allows you choose from a vast selection of our designs, customize the designs to fit your purpose, as well as work with your existing stones or newly purchased stones for redesign and flexibility. 
Analece Design strives to be your preferred jeweler by meeting the demands of our customers in very creative ways.  Stop in and ask for a free demonstration of Analece Countersketch, or call for an over the phone consultation today!